Global examples in good policy making #1: Smart sustainability incentives

From time to time, vanguard politicians manage to convince the parliament and stakeholders of reasonable and progressive policies. Although It might not always be on the front page of major media outlets, it signifies crucial incremental progress and positive impulses amidst abundant negative news.

We as citizens can use these examples to convince and press our respective local and national politicians to put similar suggestions on their agenda.

Some recent examples include:

Romania: At least 51% of supermarket food items to be non-imported

Today, most supermarket chains operate globally and source food from wherever it is cheapest, often imported produce and sometimes creating direct competition to local farmers. Romania decided to pass a law that obligates supermarkets to source more than half of their food items from producers and farmers that are Romanian.

+ support of the local agriculture, hence boosting economy and ensuring farmers wellbeing

+ reduces transport-induced emissions

+ ensures majority of produce is seasonal

- unclear specifications of what constitutes a 'local product' (could be manufactured locally but with imported ingredients)

- potentially breaching EU rules due to protectionist nature (should better be introduced in all EU member states)

Reference: http://www.foodnavigator.com/Policy/Romanian-local-food-law-for-supermarkets

Italy: Easier donation of food and mandatory 'family bags'

The country with one of the most famous cuisines globally - Italy - has recently decided to tackle food waste and changed the perception of what is culturally appropriate in restaurants. It simplified the process of donating food and made it mandatory for restaurants to provide 'family bags' (also known as dog bags), allowing to take left-overs home.

+ reduced regulation on what can be donated, especially regarding the 'eat by date' restrictions (now older but still edible food can be donated) as well as "imperfect" fruit and vegetable

+ reduced bureaucracy: farmers can give directly to charity, items don't have to be individually listed anymore and the process of receiving tax benefits was simplified

+ €1M budget for awareness campaign to communicate changes and incentivize new behaviour

Reference: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36965671

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/12194549/Italy-set-to-pass-new-law-to-fight-food-waste.html

Norway: Ban of oil heating in new and existing buildings by 2020

Historically, most developed countries have used oil to heat buildings. Although replaced by natural gas, it is still common practice and responsible for urban emissions. Norway has boldly decided that every oil-heated residential and commercial building has to retrofit within three years to more sustainable options.

+ short time frame forces to action while leaving sufficient time to carefully select a different technology and install new equipment

+ no exceptions are granted, bill also foresees completely switching to renewables

- unclear subsidy landscape and no governmental recommendation for situation specific technology

- most of national GDP from exporting oil and gas which will be burned elsewhere, hence global impact disputable

References: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/norway-ban-oil-use-heating-2020-a7819571.html